Author: Izzy Bisese

Willow made the trip to her new home today!!! It has been a LONG 7 months without her, but she got the best care and has an amazing vet and really cool technology working on her side. She will continue to rehab with me and our AMAZING trainer Bailey Fraser, who went with me to get her today and learn all the things.

We are so immensely thankful to all of the girls at Virginia Equine Rehabilitation & Performance Center and Stephanie Davis who is the best limping horse vet around. We are going to miss hanging out with you all on a regular basis but promise not to be strangers!

Thank you to everyone who supported us through this. I vow to every animal that I care for to my absolute best for them. Willow is the best pony and we plan to always do everything we can for her. It’s far tougher for me to have a sick or injured animal than it is a human who can use words. Not being able to see her daily was rough. Thank you to everyone that prayed for our pony. We feel it and it’s working!

We’re excited to keep on moving forward

• from VRC client Allie Dubit

A Revolution in Tendon Diagnostics

Introducing UTC: Ultrasound Tissue Characterisation

Say goodbye to guesswork. UTC technology is transforming how we assess equine tendon injuries. By capturing 600 detailed images and building a full 3D picture of the tendon, we can detect damage, healing quality, and even the effects of exercise, all in one scan.

Visualise tendon health in 3D

Accurately assess lesion size

Determine safe levels of exercise

Tailor rehabilitation programs to your horse’s exact needs

No other technology offers this level of insight.

Want to know if your horse is ready to return to work? A UTC scan could be just what you are looking for!

The Equinosis Q Lameness Locator is a cutting-edge system utilized at VRC for objectively assessing lameness in horses. This advanced technology provides precise measurements that are invaluable in diagnosing and treating equine lameness. At VRC, we rely on the Equinosis Q because it offers an objective measure in a field where subjective assessments can sometimes fall short. With its ability to detect even subtle lameness that may not be apparent to the naked eye, this system is 200 times more sensitive, allowing us to accurately evaluate multi-limb lameness and track progress in reducing pain and improving strength for our equine patients.

One of the lesser-known services offered at VRC is acupuncture, administered by Dr. Stephanie. Acupuncture involves the precise insertion of needles into specific points on the body, followed by mechanical or electrical stimulation. This process activates various nerve components, triggering biochemical and biophysical reactions that can alleviate pain and promote healing.

Acupuncture is utilized as a supplementary therapy at VRC, as it is non-invasive and can be incorporated into other treatments. Horses that respond well to acupuncture can benefit from focused relief and healing during their time at VRC.

While acupuncture is not used as a standalone treatment, Dr. Stephanie has successfully used it as part of a comprehensive approach. For instance, in one case, acupuncture helped manage discomfort in a colicking horse, potentially avoiding the need for surgery. This underscores the significant role acupuncture plays as a powerful supplementary therapy at VRC.

Hoping everyone is getting excited about their 2024 plans! VRC is happy to help your horses get strong during the winter season or help rehab one to be ready for the summer or fall! Just give us a call to find out how we can create a specific program for you and your horse.

Recently, the VRC team attended a presentation by Dr. Hilary Clayton’s “Training Your Eye to Evaluate the Horse’s Biomechanics” at Dressage at Devon. Dr. Clayton is a distinguished veterinarian and researcher, who specializes in equine sports biomechanics and gait analysis, advancing equine health and performance.
At VRC, we’re dedicated to continuing education, so that we can stay at the forefront of equine health and rehabilitation!

Equine athletes put a lot of stress on their joints from training to competition, and trying to maintain healthy joints is at the top of the list for many of our clients.

We have enjoyed the results we are seeing with Strydaflex. This intra-articular injectable stimulates cell-to-cell communication that is essential for healing by delivering a cell-signaling cascade of cytokines, growth factors, and exosomes that accelerates tissue repair and establishes normal tissue functionality.
Strydaflex helps reduce inflammation in the soft tissue lining of joints, tendons sheaths, and bursae.